Royal T – 5v5 Rules and Policies

General
•     Game field dimensions will be 25 yards by 25 yards.
•     Rock-paper-scissors between team captains will determine which team starts on offense and which on defense.
•     A whistle will start each game.
•     A small table scoreboard will be used to track the official score on the field.
•     Bull rushing is not allowed.
•     Slamming players to the ground or landing on them with body weight is not allowed.
•     A Field Supervisor will oversee play and confirm all calls and rules.
•     Every game will have a referee.
•     The referee will manage the 3-second countdown timer and blow the whistle when it beeps.
•     The referee will notify the scorekeeper of points after each play.
•     A bag will be placed 6 yards directly behind the center.
•     The offensive team is responsible for standing the bag back up if it gets knocked down.
•     The offensive coach must be positioned behind the QB bag.
•     The defensive coach must remain 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage (LOS).
•     Coaches are not allowed to challenge any rulings.
•     Absolutely no fighting will be tolerated. If a player throws a punch, they will be immediately ejected and cannot return to the game. The player will also be ejected from the tournament. If a bench-clearing fight occurs, both teams will be disqualified and forfeit their place in the tournament.
•     Each team will play a minimum of two pool play games, usually three. All games will consist of three rounds. Scores will be recorded and documented after each game.
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Game Format
•     Each game will consist of three rounds.
•     Round 1: Each team gets 10 reps on offense and 10 reps on defense.
•     Round 2: Each team gets 10 reps on offense and 10 reps on defense.
•     Round 3 (Cash Money Round): Each team gets 10 reps on offense and 10 reps on defense.
•     Cash Money Round: All points count as double.
•     Offense will rotate reps starting from the left offensive tackle to the right offensive tackle, then back from right to left. This means the right tackle will go twice in a row. Each round is complete when all five linemen have had two reps.
•     Only one offensive lineman and one defensive lineman will compete per rep. Before each rep begins, all offensive linemen must be in a 2-point stance.
•     Offensive linemen must have a 2-foot split between each other before a rep begins.
•     Offensive linemen not participating in a rep must remain still and may not chip.
•     Each rep begins with the offensive lineman’s first movement. The 3-second timer starts at that moment. The defender must touch the bag before the timer beeps.
•     Athletes may choose to compete from either a 2-point or 3-point stance.
•     The defense has 3 seconds to beat the offense and make a sack.
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Point Values
•     2 points are awarded to the defense for touching or knocking over the bag.
•     In the Cash Money Round, all points count as double.
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Overtime


Pool Play:
•     Captains will play rock-paper-scissors; the winner is awarded a 1-point win.

Elimination Rounds:
•     Rock-paper-scissors will determine which team starts on offense or defense.
•     Whatever is verbally stated by the captain is final — no changes afterward.
•     Each team gets 5 reps on offense and 5 reps on defense (a half-round each).
•     The team with the most points at the end of the round wins.
•     If still tied, a second round will take place.
•     Teams will swap sides — offense becomes defense and vice versa.
•     If still tied, rounds will continue with this same format.
•     Captains will again play rock-paper-scissors before each new round to choose offense or defense.
•     This overtime format applies to all elimination games.
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Seeding for Elimination Rounds

Seeding will be based on:
•     Win-loss record
•     In case of ties, the following tiebreakers (via the Zorts app) will be used:
1.     Pool play overall point differential
2.     If still tied, total points scored
3.     If still tied, a coin flip by tournament staff
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Penalties
•     Hands to the Face (Offense or Defense):
o     1st offense: Replay of the down
o     2nd consecutive offense (offense): 1 point awarded to defense + replay of the down
o     3rd consecutive offense (offense): 2 points to defense + loss of down
o     2nd consecutive offense (defense): No points + loss of down

•     Encroachment (Defense):
o     1st offense: Replay of the down
o     2nd offense: Loss of down

•     Holding:
o     Offense:
     1st offense: Replay of the down
     2nd offense: 1 point to defense + redo of the rep (unless declined by defense)
     3rd offense: 2 points to defense + loss of down

o     Defense:
     1st offense: Replay of the down
     2nd offense: Loss of down

•     Bull Rushing:
o     1st offense: Loss of down
o     2nd offense: Loss of down

•     Slamming or Excessive Force:
o     1st offense: Warning to the team
o     2nd offense: 2 points to defense + replay of the down
o     3rd offense: 2 points to defense + player ejection

Note: All point totals listed are for regular rounds. In the Cash Money Round, points count as double.
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Age Divisions
•     High School Division: 9th–11th grade (current)
•     Middle School Division: 7th–8th grade (current)
•     Youth Division (by demand): 5th–6th grade (current)

Players may play up in an age division but are not allowed to play down.
Players may compete on multiple teams in different age divisions, but not on multiple teams within the same age division.